iPads in Action: On this page you will get some information about how iPads can be used in a primary classroom. I have been piloting an "iPad classroom" since September and have come to find a number of benefits. Of course the most obvious is that my students are highly motivated and excited (see the video below, password EDUC584) to complete assignments. But I am also saving on resources such as paper, photocopies, writing utensils, etc. Apps are great, especially for rote practice which so many children need when developing early literacy/ math skills. I have included screen shots of all the apps that I am currently using, sorted by topic. There are so many more uses for the iPads than I ever imagined. I also use the educational browser called Rover to access specific sites such as Razkids and Starfall. But there is so much more that can be done using the internet such as digital publishing, storytelling, blogging, researching, and more (oh my)!
I am even using the iPads for blogging. This has been an amazing opportunity to introduce digital publishing, internet safety, and online communication. The kids love it, especially the interaction part. We are using kidblog and I highly recommend that once you set up your classroom you put a link on your webpage and have the kids "pin it" (it makes it look like an app) to their home screen so that they can access the blog with the touch of a button.
One of my favorite uses of the iPads is to administer spelling and fast fact tests. Children can email me their results and with the click of a button I can forward the results home. I find that this encourages accountability and conversation on the part of parents, more so than in years past when I sent home one-sided corrected tests. I also know for certain the parents are receiving them and can give specific feedback. I have even had parents say to me that they, "looked back at the past few tests..." It is an easy way for parents to keep track of their child's progress without cluttering up their fridge or counters.
iPads in Action: On this page you will get some information about how iPads can be used in a primary classroom. I have been piloting an "iPad classroom" since September and have come to find a number of benefits. Of course the most obvious is that my students are highly motivated and excited (see the video below, password EDUC584) to complete assignments. But I am also saving on resources such as paper, photocopies, writing utensils, etc. Apps are great, especially for rote practice which so many children need when developing early literacy/ math skills. I have included screen shots of all the apps that I am currently using, sorted by topic. There are so many more uses for the iPads than I ever imagined. I also use the educational browser called Rover to access specific sites such as Razkids and Starfall. But there is so much more that can be done using the internet such as digital publishing, storytelling, blogging, researching, and more (oh my)!
I am even using the iPads for blogging. This has been an amazing opportunity to introduce digital publishing, internet safety, and online communication. The kids love it, especially the interaction part. We are using kidblog and I highly recommend that once you set up your classroom you put a link on your webpage and have the kids "pin it" (it makes it look like an app) to their home screen so that they can access the blog with the touch of a button.
Blogging On IPads from Stephanie Toney on Vimeo.
One of my favorite uses of the iPads is to administer spelling and fast fact tests. Children can email me their results and with the click of a button I can forward the results home. I find that this encourages accountability and conversation on the part of parents, more so than in years past when I sent home one-sided corrected tests. I also know for certain the parents are receiving them and can give specific feedback. I have even had parents say to me that they, "looked back at the past few tests..." It is an easy way for parents to keep track of their child's progress without cluttering up their fridge or counters.
For spelling I use the "Spelling Notebook Free" app.
For math I prefer "Timed Test Free" app
Both of these programs are programmable and the kids can email the AUTOMATICALLY graded results to me immediately!
Some more FREE apps I use:
Links to iPad App Ideas:
iPad Apps for Schools
50 Popular iPad Apps For Struggling Readers & Writers
IPAD- It's Elementary
103 iPad Uses (a google doc pptx)
Thank you Abbey for sharing this:
20 Awesome iPad Apps That Will Teach Your Kids to Read
RSS Feeds Worth Looking At:
Learning and Sharing with Ms. Lirenman
Ask a Tech Teacher